Transom-mullion structure

ABSTRACT

A structure with vertical members and cross members, particularly for facades or light-transparent roofs, in whose frame area glass panes ( 100 ) can be inserted, comprises several vertical members ( 1 ) between which cross members ( 2 ) are fixed. Channels ( 3, 4 ) are provided on the outer surface of the vertical members ( 1 ), specifically on the edges thereof, and serve to accommodate a seal ( 5, 6 ), whereby a drainage channel ( 7, 8 ) for diverting liquid is arranged adjacent to the channel ( 3, 4 ). In addition, channels ( 10, 11 ) are provided on the side of the cross member ( 2 ), specifically on the edges thereof, that faces the outer surface of the vertical member ( 1 ), and serve to accommodate a seal ( 12 ) and a retaining strip ( 13 ) located between the channels ( 10, 11 ). According to the invention, a connecting part ( 40 ) is attached to the cross member ( 2 ) at the face thereof and serves to lengthen the channels ( 10, 11 ) and the retaining strip ( 13 ) of the cross member ( 2 ) while at least partially overlapping the channel ( 3 ) located on the edge of the vertical member. This configuration enables the cross member to be easily attached to the vertical member, whereby, for providing an overlapping design of the cross member, a connecting part is easily mounted without requiring a complex notching of the cross member ( 2 ).

The present invention relates to a structure with vertical members andcross members, in particular for facades or roof windows with frameareas in which glass panes can be inserted, with several verticalmembers between which cross members are affixed, whereby the verticalmembers have on an edge of an outer surface a corresponding channel forreceiving a seal and adjacent to the channel a drainage channel fordiverting liquids, whereby the cross member has on the side facing theouter surface of the vertical member a corresponding channel forreceiving a seal and between the channels a retaining strip.

DE 34 19 538 A1 discloses a structure with vertical members and crossmembers for a facade or a roof with a metal framework, wherein glasspanes can be inserted into the metal frames. The metal frameworkincludes vertical members and transverse cross members which each haveat their corresponding edges a channel for receiving a seal, so that aglass pane can be placed on a seal that extends peripherally around theedge of the glass pane. Cover profiles, which can be connected withscrews to corresponding retaining channels disposed on the cross membersand vertical members, are provided for securing the glass pane. Betweenthe retaining channels and the channels for receiving the seals, thereare provided drainage channels on both the cross members and thevertical members for diverting liquids that enter between the retainingchannel and the glass pane of the cross member and/or vertical member.The cross member projects over the vertical member near the end faces ofthe channel that receives the seal and is therefore located somewhathigher than the vertical member. This difference in height iscompensated towards the glass by glass support seals having differentheights, i.e., the glass support seals for the cross members are not ashigh as the glass support seals for the vertical members. To implementthis type of connection, the cross member profile has to be notched inthe end region. Notching requires a more work, since the profiles cannotbe simply sawn to their finished lengths. Handling the cross members fornotching and the required fabrication techniques are complex inparticular for long cross members. Moreover, the notching operationincreases the tolerances since the cross member has to be sawn to sizebefore being notched, so that the exact length of the cross membersegment which contacts the vertical member requires greater tolerancesdue to the additional processing step.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide astructure with vertical members and cross members of the aforedescribedtype, wherein the installation of the vertical members is simplified andthe cross member has no longer be notched.

This object is solved with a structure with vertical members and crossmembers having the characterizing features of claim 1.

The overlapping construction is initially retained by installing on theend face of the cross member a connecting element which lengthens thechannels and the retaining strip of the cross member and at least partycovers the channel at the edge of the vertical member. The functionalityof the channels and the retaining strip of the cross member is alsopreserved in the region of the vertical member near the edge. Inparticular, accumulating liquids can be diverted with the connectingelement into the drainage channel of the vertical member. The crossmember can be installed by simply sawing the cross member to the desiredlength. The cross member is subsequently installed between two verticalmembers, whereby the connecting element is affixed to the cross membereither before or after installation. The cross member is hereby heldbetween the vertical members with smaller tolerances, since the crossmember is only sawn once and, unlike with conventional systems, thecross member need not be first cut to a suitable length and thennotched. In addition, this simplifies the installation of the crossmember, so that the additional costs of the connecting element do nothave a negative impact.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the connecting element isaffixed to the cross member. Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat all conventional types of attachment methods, such as screwconnections, adhesive joints, welding or other joining techniques arefeasible. A mechanical attachment is preferred.

For installing the connecting element in a simple and fast manner, theelement is preferably held on the cross member by way of a couplingelement which is inserted into an undercut channel on the cross memberand on the connecting element. The coupling element can be inserted intothe channel on the cross member formfittingly and nonpositively, so thatthe coupling element is at least pre-attached. In particular, thecoupling element can be easily held adjacent to the cross memberprofile, if the coupling element has at its end face a C-shaped sectionwhich encompasses the bottom of the connecting element, which alsoobviates the need for a tool for pre-installation. The leg of theC-shaped section, which is arranged at the bottom of the connectingelement, is received in the drainage channel located at the edge of thevertical member, so that the C-shaped section does not impede contactbetween the connecting element and the vertical member.

Preferably, the cross member has a drainage channel on both sides of theretaining strip, with a corresponding coupling element inserted in eachof the drainage channels. The coupling element can also be provided withchannels for diverting liquids so as to preserve the functionality ofthe drainage channel.

According to another embodiment of the invention, ribs are formed on theconnecting element which contact the cross member. Preferably, ribswhich contact the channel walls and/or the retaining strip of the crossmember are formed on the connecting element. In this way, the connectingelement can be pre-attached to the cross member without requiring anadditional component. The ribs can formfittingly contact the profilesurface, so that the connecting element can only move in the axialdirection of the cross member.

A particularly stable attachment of the connecting element with the ribscan be achieved by providing at least one recess on an end face of thecross member, through which a rib of the connecting element is inserted.In this way, a rib can engage below the channel bottom and/or the bottomof the retaining strip for supporting the connecting element over anarea.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a cavity is formedbelow the connecting element, wherein a sealing compound can beintroduced into the cavity for sealing a drainage channel that is formedon the cross member and the connecting element. Gaps can form when anadditional component is employed near the transition between crossmember and vertical member, which can lead to an accumulation of liquid.This can be prevented by sealing the gaps preferably with a sealingcompound or an adhesive. The sealing compound is preferably introducedthrough an opening formed at the transition between cross member andconnecting element.

To ensure a permanent mechanical attachment of the connecting element,the connecting element is preferably connected with the channel at theedge of the vertical member by a screw connection.

The invention will now be described with reference to three embodimentsin conjunction with the appended drawings. It is shown in:

FIG. 1 a perspective view of a first embodiment of a structure withvertical members and cross members according to the invention;

FIG. 2 a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure with verticalmembers and cross members of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 a perspective view of the cross member and the connecting elementof the structure with vertical members and cross members of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 a perspective view of the cross member and the connecting elementaccording to FIG. 3 with a coupling element;

FIG. 5 a perspective view of a cross member with a connecting elementaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 a perspective view of the structure with vertical members andcross members according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 7A a side view of the structure with vertical members and crossmembers according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 7B a partial cross-sectional top view of the structure withvertical members and cross members according to FIG. 7A; and

FIG. 7C a front view of the cross member of the structure with verticalmembers and cross members according to FIG. 7A.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the structure with vertical members and crossmembers includes a vertical member 1, with a cross member 2 connected tothe vertical member 1 at a right angle. Alternatively, the cross member2 could be connected to the vertical member 1 at a right angle. Thevertical member 1 has channels 3 and 4 disposed along the edges andadapted to receive a glass support seal. A drainage channel 7 that candivert liquids downwardly is provided adjacent to the channel. Theopposite side also includes a drainage channel 8. A retaining strip 9,in which an installation element 102 can be inserted, is located in thecenter of the vertical member 1. As seen in FIG. 2, glass panes 100 canbe inserted into the areas formed by the vertical members 1 and thecross members 2, with the glass panes 100 being placed on top of theglass support seals 5, 6 and 12. The glass panes 100 are secured to theinstallation element 102 and thereby also to the vertical members 1 andthe cross member 2 by way of cover strips (not shown).

FIG. 2 shows schematically several droplets which represents moistureentering between the glass pane 100 and the drainage channel 14 of thecross member 2. The moisture is diverted via the drainage channels 14and 15 on the cross member 2 to the drainage channel 7 of the verticalmember 1 and discharged from the structure consisting of verticalmembers and cross members. The glass panes 100 are not contacted, sincethese are disposed on top of the glass support seals 5 and 12, wherebythe difference in height towards the glass is compensated by glasssupport seals 5 and 12 having different heights.

A retaining strip 13 is provided on the cross member 2, with drainagechannels 14 and 15 encompassing the retaining strip 13 on both sides.

As seen in particular in FIG. 3, the overlapping region adjacent to thechannel 3 of the vertical member 1 is formed by a connecting element 20which is formed separate of the cross member 2 and is affixed to thecross member 2. The connecting element 20 includes retaining channels 22and 23, each channel for a corresponding glass support seal, which arealigned with the retaining channels 10 and 11 of the cross member 2. Theprofile of the connecting element 20 matches the profile of the outersurface of the cross member 2. Also provided on the cross member 2 is afastening strip 16 for securely fastening the cross member 2 to thevertical member 1.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the connecting element20 is secured to the cross member 2 with a coupling element 30 (FIG. 4).The coupling element 30 includes at its end face a C-shaped section 31,wherein the lower leg 32 engages below the bottom of the connectingelement 20. The coupling element 30 is preferably formfittingly andnonpositively inserted in the drainage channel 24 and/or 25 in theconnecting element 20 and the cross member 2, wherein the nonpositiveengagement can be reinforced by providing projections or teeth on thecoupling element 30. The projections and/or teeth dig into the profileand the drainage channels 24 and 25, respectively. The coupling element30 can also be affixed with a screw connection. One or several couplingelements 30 can be used. The attachment position can be varied; forexample, the coupling element 30 can also be arranged in the channels 22and 23 as well as on or in the retaining strip 20.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment, wherein holding means are integrallyformed on one connecting element 40. The connecting element 40 includeson each of its edges a corresponding retaining channel 45 and 49 and inthe center an attachment strip 47. A drainage channel 46 is arrangedbetween the attachment strip 47 and the channel 45, and a correspondingdrainage channel 48 is arranged on the opposite side. The profile of theconnecting element 40 again corresponds to the profile of the crossmember 2, wherein the channels 45, 46, 48 and 49 are aligned with thecorresponding channels 11, 14, 15, 11 of the cross member 2.

Several rib-shaped sections, which contact the profile of the crossmember 2 at various points, are provided for pre-attaching theattachment element 40. Legs 44 and 43 are formed on the attachment strip47 which laterally grip around the two walls of the attachment strip 13.A limit stop is formed on the leg 43, with a corresponding limit stopbeing provided on the leg 44, so that the legs 43 and 44 formfittinglycontact the end face of the attachment strip 13 and thereby fix theposition of the connecting element 40 in the lateral direction.

Recesses 17 and 18, into which a section of the connecting element 40can be inserted, are provided on the end faces of the cross member 2 inthe region of the channels 10 and 11. Bottom sections 41 and 42 areprovided on the connecting element 40, which partially engage below thechannels 10 and 11. Openings are formed in the bottom ribs 41 and 42, sothat the connecting element 40 can be secured on the cross member 2 withscrews 55, wherein the screws 55 extends through openings 19 in thechannels 10 and 11. A stop 15 is formed on the bottom rib 42 whichformfittingly engages with the recess 18 of the channel 11. The sectionwhich is guided through the recesses 17 and 18 operates as a couplingbridge for making contact with the hollow profile of the cross member 2with the bottom ribs 42 and 41. Several of these coupling bridges can beprovided. The connecting element 40 can also be attached to the crossmember 3 by using other attachment methods.

Slots 56 are provided in the connecting element 40 for securing theconnecting element 40 to the vertical member 1 by a screw connection.

FIG. 6 shows a cross member 2 with a connecting element 40 in astructure with vertical members and cross members. The connectingelement 40 is affixed to the side of the cross member 2 with the legs 43and 44, wherein the connecting element 40 is permanently attached withscrews 55, which are screwed into the cross member 2 and the connectingelement 40. To support large forces, a movable pin 61, which is insertedinto an opening 60 on the vertical member 1, is attached to theattachment strip 16. A groove 62 which has approximately the samethickness as a wall of the vertical member 1 is provided on the pin 61so that the cross member 2 can be interlocked with the vertical member1. The connecting element 40 is in addition secured to the verticalmember 1 with screws 55, whereby the screws 55 extend through the slots53 and the openings 63 within the groove 3 of the vertical member 1.

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C depict a third embodiment of the invention which isslightly different from the second embodiment. However, identicalelements have identical reference numerals.

The connecting element 40′ includes sections 50′ which engage withcorresponding recesses in the channels 10 and 11 of the cross member 2,wherein the end faces of the sections 50′ are rounded. In addition,additional ribs 80 and 81 are formed on the connecting element 40′ whichengage with the drainage channels 14 and 15 of the cross member 2. Allother features of the connecting element 40′ are identical to those ofthe connecting element 40. The height of the connecting element 40′ isfixed by the bottom ribs 41 and 42 as well as the ribs 80 and 81. Thelateral position is fixed by the legs which encompass the attachmentstrip 13. Screws 55 are also inserted into the connecting element 40′ toprovide a mechanical connection. In addition, screws 55 are screwed intothe groove 3 of the vertical member 1.

As seen in particular from FIG. 7C, a cavity 90 is located below thedrainage channels 14 and 15 of the cross member 2 adjacent to theconnecting element 40′. The cavity 90 is surrounded on three sides bythe connecting element 40′, with the vertical member 1 contacting theopen side. A sealing compound can be filled into the cavity 90 forsealing the transition region between the cross member 2 and thevertical member 1, in particular also in the region of the drainagechannels 14 and 15. For this purpose, a handheld device 70 is providedwhich contains the sealing compound. This handheld device 70 can be usedto fill the sealing compound into the cavity 90 through an opening 71formed between the connecting element 40′ and the cross member 2. Inthis way, the connecting region between the connecting element 40′ andthe cross member 2 can be reliably sealed. The cavity 90 can also befilled with an adhesive, so that an adhesive connection with the crossmember 2 can be established by using a suitably designed connectingelement 40′.

1. Structure with vertical members and cross members, comprising: aplurality of vertical members, each vertical member having two verticalchannels disposed along outer surfaces of the vertical member, saidvertical channels adapted to receive a seal, and a drainage channeldisposed between the vertical channels; a cross member having flat endfaces extending over the entire cross-sectional area of the crossmember, the cross member being affixed between the vertical members withthe flat end faces facing the outer surfaces of corresponding verticalmembers, said cross member including cross channels disposed alongmarginal edges and terminating at the outer surface of the verticalmembers, said cross channels adapted to receive a seal, and a retainingstrip positioned between the cross channels and terminating at the outersurface of the vertical members, said vertical members and cross membersdefining frame areas adapted for insertion of glass panes; a connectingelement formed separately from and connected flush to a correspondingone of the flat end faces of the cross member, said connecting elementhaving a contour substantially matching a contour of the cross memberand lengthening the cross channels and the retaining strip of the crossmember so as to cover the vertical channels disposed along the outersurfaces of the vertical member and to be open to the drainage channelto allow liquids to drain from the cross member into the drainagechannel in the vertical members.
 2. The structure of claim 1, whereinthe connecting element is affixed to the cross member.
 3. The structureof claim 1, and further comprising a coupling element inserted into anundercut channel disposed on the cross member and on the connectingelement and securing the connecting element to the cross member.
 4. Thestructure of claim 3, wherein the coupling element is formfittingly andnonpositively inserted into the undercut channel disposed on the crossmember.
 5. The structure of claim 3, wherein the coupling element has anend face in form of a C-shaped section which encloses a bottom sectionof the connecting element.
 6. The structure of claim 5, wherein a leg ofthe C-shaped section is received in the drainage channel of the verticalmember.
 7. The structure of claim 1, wherein the cross member comprisesdrainage channels disposed on both sides of the retaining strip, andcoupling elements inserted in the drainage channels in one-to-onecorrespondence.
 8. The structure of claim 1, wherein the connectingelement includes projections that contact the cross member.
 9. Thestructure of claim 1, wherein the connecting element includesprojections which contact channel walls or the retaining strip of thecross member.
 10. The structure of claim 1, wherein the connectingelement includes at least one projection which engages behind an outersurface of the cross member.
 11. The structure of claim 1, wherein theend face of the cross member has at least one recess, with a projectionformed on the connecting element and extending through the at least onerecess.
 12. The structure of claim 1, wherein a cavity is formed belowthe connecting element, said cavity adapted to receive a sealingcompound for sealing a drainage channel that is formed on the crossmember and the connecting element.
 13. The structure of claim 1, whereinthe connecting element is secured to the vertical channels by a screwconnection.
 14. The structure of claim 1, wherein the connecting elementcomprises cross channels disposed along marginal edges of the connectingelement and a retaining strip positioned between the cross channels ofthe connecting element, said connecting element terminated at end faces,wherein in an installed position of the connecting element on the crossmember, one of the end faces of the connecting element abuts acorresponding one of the end faces of the cross member, and the crosschannels and the retaining strip of the connecting element are alignedwith the cross channels and the retaining strip of the cross member. 15.The structure of claim 1, for use in a facade.
 16. The structure ofclaim 1, for use in a roof window.